Configure your microphone

Flex Directional options

The Flex Directional Headset Microphone comes in three different colors, as a Headset or Earset and with three different boom lengths. It is available with either our CORE by DPA or our Legacy amplifier technology. Choose the variant that suits your needs.

Legendary sound - flexible headset

Pristine audio quality

Lightweight and flexible

Easy mounting to the left or right

Minimal visual impact

Resistant to humidity

Flexible adapter system fits most professional wireless systems

Combining the legendary sound of the 4088 Directional Capsule with the lightweight and DPA's flexible headset system, the 4288 Directional Headset Microphone is ideal for both spoken word and vocal performance applications. It offers accurate and natural voice intelligibility and very high-SPL capabilities – users can both speak and sing into the mic with no hint of distortion.

This mic provides excellent off-axis rejection in high-SPL situations. It efficiently suppresses distant sound sources making it perfect for demanding live performance environments where background noise and feedback are concerns. In high-SPL events, or when feedback is a concern, the 4088 Directional Capsule will tackle these challenges with ease. The bass response is designed for optimal linearity at 2-3 cm (1 in) from the sound source. This means that the bass roll-off will be relatively prominent at a greater distance – a paramount factor when it comes to rejection of background noise and in the fight to avoid feedback. The microphone capsule is also optimized for low distortion as well as humidity resistance.
The 4288 is available as an earset or headset. Earset variants are the quickest to put on and often the best choice when miking needs to be fast and easy for example for conference use. Headset variants sit more securely around the head and are ideal for active performance situations. Both types are ergonomically designed to fit comfortably and easily. This mic adjusts to fit any ear size and head shape while at the same time it mounts securely and is hardly visible. By rotating the boom and the earhook, the microphone can be easily used on either the left or the right ear. The connector splits the cable from the microphone boom allowing you to swap broken cables and / or wireless connectors quickly.

Two directional boom lengths are available to accommodate different applications and head sizes: 120 mm (4.7 in) and 100 mm (3.9 in). The boom on this directional mic is 3 cm (1 in) longer than on the omnidirectional version, which matches the need for placement at the corner of the mouth. To avoid "popping", the capsule should not be placed directly in front of the mouth. The 120 mm (4.7 in) is the standard boom length that fits most people.

Legacy or CORE by DPA - The choice is yours

The legacy 4288 Directional Headset has always been, and still is, one of the most clear, consistent and robust miniature microphones you can find on the market. It’s known for working across a wide dynamic range as well as exhibiting low distortion across all SPLs. If you need to squeeze a little more performance out of your mics, choose CORE. The 4288 CORE Directional Headset gets a 14 dB increase Dynamic range as the 1% THD point is higher. What can’t be seen on the specifications is that the CORE delivers an even more open and clear sound.

Total harmonic distortion: < 1% THD up to 137 dB SPL peak

Dynamic range: Typ. 111 dB

IP58 certified

All CORE by DPA technology microphones are IP58 certified. This durability is achieved through a number of defense mechanisms:

• Water-repellant nano-coating of the cover and housing
• Hermetic sealing of the sensitive amplifier at the core of the mic
• Dual gold plating of the diaphragm

A bit about cardioids

Named for its “heart shaped” polar pattern, a cardioid (or directional) microphone has the most sensitivity at the front and is least sensitive from the sides and at the back. They come in many variations – with wider or narrower angles of sensitivity (supercardioid, hypercardioid, wide cardioid etc.). Although cardioids also pick up sound coming in from the sides, this off-axis sound will normally be more or less colored and damped. The unique DPA capsule technique however skips the colorization of the sound coming from the sides or the rear of the mic and just reduces the sensitivity to these angles and thereby offers perfect sound stages. The amount of damping depends on the exact specifications of the mic.

A cardioid microphone is, by definition, damped -6 dB at the 90°side entry of the microphone but for many, the word cardioid generally covers mics with a directional pattern versus omnis, which pick up sound from all directions.

Due to their nature, directional mics are often used on the live stage – both during concerts as well as spoken-word events, to capture the focused sound of an instrument or voice. The narrow angle of sensitivity helps to minimize the bleed from other sounds on a busy stage. One thing to note with cardioid mics is the proximity effect, which causes an increase in bass response the closer the microphone is moved to the sound source. Therefore, when judging mic specs you should always look for a statement stating the distance at which the flat frequency response has been measured. In addition, cardioid mics are far more sensitive to wind, pop and handling noises than omni mics, so be sure to take precautions to guard against this.

Adapter system gives you flexibility

The adapters for wireless systems give you flexible, simple and affordable possibilities. You are no longer bound to one wireless system. As circumstances change, you can just switch your adapter, instead of incurring the cost of a completely new microphone. When you make the switch, you won't hear any loss or change in sound quality.
DPA's miniature microphones work with all leading wireless mic solutions, such as Lectrosonics, Sennheiser, Shure, Sony, Wisycom, Zaxcom and many more. DPA Microphones’ ingenious adapter system is one of a kind in the industry. It protects your investment in fantastic sound for years to come.

4188 Frequency response

4188 Polar pattern

Typical directional characteristics of a d:fine™ 4188

4188 Frequency response in near and far field

Frequency response of the d:fine™ 4188 in near and far field

...best of all, even microphone-apprehensive users were captured consistently and clear; hand a microphone to the same group of users, or stand them in front of a spot or a podium, and I guarantee the results won’t be that consistent or nearly as usable.

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Alternative microphones

4088 Directional Headset Mic

This classic headset mic is the industry standard in professional headset mics. It offers an open and natural sound making it ideal for both spoken word and vocal performance applications.

Read more about the 4088 Directional Headset Mic

6066 Headset Subminiature Mic

A 3 mm (0.12 in) capsule mounted on our most unique and flexible headset. This solution combines the need for exceptional audio with a secure, comfortable all-day professional headset solution. This is an ideal solution for theatre, broadcast and conference / event use.

Read more and configure your mic

4166 and 4266 Series Omni Headset Mic

These mics combine the legendary sound of the 4066 with a lightweight and flexible headset system. This condenser mic is easy and fast to adjust and it offers clean and transparent sound quality.

Learn more about the 4166 and 4266 Omni Headset Mic

4066 Omni Headset Mic

The 4066 Omni Headset Mic offers clean and transparent sound quality with lots of headroom. For years, it has been the chosen headset for broadcasters as well as theaters on Broadway and London's West End.

Read more about the 4066 Omni Headset Mic

Optional accessories

DUA0532

Headset Clip and Strain Relief for Headset Microphone

Cable and strain relief for use with a headset microphone. Clips onto a user's clothing to reduce strain on the cable that runs down the back to the transmiter.

Read more

DUA0531

Foam Windscreen for 4160 Series Slim Lavalier Microphone

Sold as a set of five pcs. Available in beige, brown and black.

Read more

DUA0523

Makeup and Moisture Filter for Slim Lavalier Microphone

A makeup and moisture filter for headset and earset microphones with a slim capsule.

Read more

DUA0592

Makeup Cover for Slim Headset and Lavalier Microphone

DUA0592 Makeup Cover for Headset and Earsets with slim capsule and 4160 Series Slim Miniature Microphones.

Read more

In operation, both the omni and directional headsets sound natural even before any equalization, and deliver impressive level without feedback, even when the user is positioned relatively close to a loudspeaker cluster.

I was quite simply blown away by the fact that this microphone, with no processing of any kind, represented my voice as naturally as any large-diaphragm condenser or high-end ribbon mic I’d ever heard.